Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to firearms, and more particularly, to methods and apparatuses that decrease the chance occurrence of an unintended discharge of a concealed firearm such as a handgun.
Many handguns do not have a traditional manually operated on-off safety or lack one entirely as part of their design. This results in a user potentially being able to activate the trigger and fire the handgun. When the handgun is in a pocket or purse, foreign objects, such as keys, can become entwined with a trigger of the handgun. In such a situation, just the action of pulling the handgun or keys out of the pocket can accidently activate the trigger.
A user who wants to gain access to their handgun in an emergency from a pocket can easily grab the handgun while inadvertently slipping their trigger finger into the trigger guard. As the user begins removing the handgun from their pocket, their finger can accidentally pull the trigger causing an accidental discharge.
In addition to the risk of an unintended discharge of a concealed firearm, there is also a risk that the firearm will not be ready to be fired once removed from the pocket. Advantageously, certain embodiments protect a person who has a handgun in their pocket or purse etc. In many designs the handgun may only fire when the magazine is seated in the grip. A user who is in need of their handgun to protect them self quickly may not have enough time to contemplate the appropriate steps to take when removing their handgun from their pocket. Instead, the user may pull out their handgun only to find it is not operable and at that moment they could have created a life or death situation for them self.
As such, systems and methods are needed to solve these common problems and others.
Details of one or more implementations of the subject matter described in this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings, pictures, and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims. Note that the relative dimensions of the following figures may not be drawn to scale.
According to certain embodiments, a safety device for a trigger guard of a handgun can include a cover, a locking member, a releasing member, and an ejecting unit. The cover can be sized and shaped to cover at least a portion of the trigger guard. The locking member can be disposed so as to move between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The releasing member can be coupled to the locking member so that activation of the releasing member moves the locking member from the engaged position to the disengaged position. The ejecting unit can be coupled to the cover. The ejecting unit can contact at least a portion of the handgun. The ejecting unit can bias the cover to eject the safety device from the handgun when the locking member is moved to the disengaged position.
According to certain embodiments, a safety device for a trigger guard of a handgun can include a cover. The cover can include a locking pin, a releasing plate, and an ejecting unit. The locking pin can be disposed so as to move between an engaged position and a disengaged position with the trigger guard. The releasing plate can be coupled to the locking pin so that activation of the releasing plate moves the locking pin from the engaged position to the disengaged position. The ejecting unit can be disposed in the cover. The ejecting unit can contact the trigger guard. The ejecting unit can bias the cover to eject the safety device from the handgun when the locking pin is disengaged with the trigger guard.
According to certain embodiments, a safety device for a trigger guard of a handgun can include a cover and a releasing member. The cover can be sized and shaped to cover at least a portion of the trigger guard. The cover can include a locking member. The locking member can be disposed so as to move between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The releasing member can be coupled to the locking member so that activation of the releasing member moves the locking member from the engaged position to the disengaged position to allow separation of the safety device from the handgun.
Various aspects of the novel systems, apparatuses, and methods are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The teachings of this disclosure can, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to any specific structure or function presented throughout this disclosure. Rather, these aspects are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Based on the teachings herein one skilled in the art should appreciate that the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover any aspect of the novel systems, apparatuses, and methods disclosed herein, whether implemented independently of or combined with any other aspect of the invention. For example, an apparatus can be implemented or a method can be practiced using any number of the aspects set forth herein. In addition, the scope of the invention is intended to cover such an apparatus or method which is practiced using other structure, functionality, or structure and functionality in addition to or other than the various aspects of the invention set forth herein. It should be understood that any aspect disclosed herein can be embodied by one or more elements of a claim.
Although particular aspects are described herein, many variations and permutations of these aspects fall within the scope of the disclosure. Although some benefits and advantages of the preferred aspects are mentioned, the scope of the disclosure is not intended to be limited to particular benefits, uses, or objectives. The detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the disclosure rather than limiting, the scope of the disclosure being defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for increasing the safety of a handgun. As discussed below, certain embodiments of the safety device slide over the trigger guard assembly, lock into place, and completely cover the trigger guard assembly.
As shown in at least
In certain embodiments, the safety device 110 is not a holster but is a safety mechanism intended to prevent unintentional discharge of the firearm. In certain embodiments, the safety device 110 is intended for use in a pocket, purse, bag, etcetera, and not attached to the waist. In certain embodiments, the safety device 110 is intended to self-eject from the handgun in contrast to a holster which just allows for the gun 102 to be drawn.
In certain embodiments, the safety device 110 covers and prevents the magazine release button from being pressed to avoid unseating the magazine in the grip. In certain embodiments, the safety device 110 has a low profile to facilitate use with a concealed gun 102 and follows the contours of the gun 102.
In certain embodiments, the safety device 110 includes structures or features which prevent or inhibit the safety device 110 from easily exiting a pocket thereby facilitating the user removing the gun 102 from the safety device 110 when the user unlocks the safety device 110 from the gun 102 in the pocket. In this way, the features of the safety device 110 make it easier for the user to remove the gun 102 without the safety device 110 coming out of the pocket with the gun 102. For example, a releasing plate component of the safety device 110 can include one or more shapes or surface features which inhibit removal of the safety device 110 from a user's pockets.
The cover 112 can define a generally U-shaped channel. In some configurations, the cover 112 can define a channel having other shapes, such as a rectangular channel or squared channel. The channel can be configured to receive at least a portion of the trigger guard 106 of the gun 102. In certain embodiments, the cover can include a bottom wall 124 having a width. The trigger guard 106 can have a width. The width of the bottom wall 124 can be approximately equal to the width of the trigger guard 106. In certain embodiments, the width of the bottom wall 124 is greater than the width of the trigger guard 106. The safety device 110 can desirably have a low profile so that the assembly 100 can be easily carried in the user's pocket, bag, holster, or other compartment.
In certain embodiments, the safety device 110 can cover at least a portion or all of one or both sides of the trigger guard 106 when the safety device 110 is in an engaged position relative to the gun 102 (see
The cover 112 can include a front wall 118, a first side wall 120, a second side wall 122, and a bottom wall 124. The front wall 118, the first and second side walls 120, 122, and the bottom wall 124 of the cover 112 can be integrally formed.
In certain embodiments, one or more of the first side wall 120 and the second side wall 122 can be configured to be coupled to the releasing plate 130. In certain embodiments, the second side wall 122 is configured to be coupled to the releasing plate 130. In certain embodiments, the second side wall 122 can be coupled to the releasing plate 130 at one or more positions. In certain embodiments, the second side wall 122 can be coupled to the releasing plate 130 at two, three, or four or more positions. As shown in at least
In certain embodiments, the second side wall 122 of the cover 112 can include an insertion hole 114. The insertion hole 114 can be configured to receive the locking pin 140. The insertion hole 114 can be sized and/or shaped to allow the locking pin 140 to slide through the hole. In some embodiments, the insertion hole 114 allows the locking pin 140 to slide through with minimal resistance to desirably reduce wear on the locking pin 140 and/or allow for a faster engagement and/or disengagement of the safety device 110 from the gun 102.
The insertion hole 114 can be positioned at an approximately midpoint of the side wall 122 along a length of the wall 122 (see
In certain embodiments, the side wall 122 can include a cutout portion 128 at a rearward portion of the side wall 122. The cutout portion 128 can allow the cover 112 to have a reduced profile. The reduced profile can desirably reduce material and/or the overall bulkiness of the safety device 110. In certain configurations, the size and/or shape of the cutout portion 128 can correspond to a shape of at least a portion of the gun 102. For example, the cutout portion 128 can provide a user with full access to a grip portion 107 of the gun 102. In such configurations, the cutout portion 128 allows the user to fully grasp the gun 102 when the safety device 110 is positioned on the gun 102.
In certain embodiments, the first side wall 120 can have a cutout portion 129 at a rearward portion of the side wall 120. The cutout portion 129 can define a scalloped region. In certain embodiments, the cutout portion 129 can include a plurality of cutout portions, such as one, two, three, four, or five or more cutout portions. The cutout portions 129 can provide access to certain features of the gun 102. For example, the cutout portion 129 can include a first cutout portion 129A and a second cutout portion 129B. In certain embodiments, at least the first cutout portion 129A can provide a user with full access to a grip portion of the gun 102. In such configurations, the cutout portion 129A allows the user to fully grasp the gun 102 when the safety device 110 is positioned on the gun 102. In certain configurations, the cutout portion 129B can provide access to at least another portion of the gun 102, such as a magazine lock 105. Such configurations can be desirable to allow the user to load and/or reload the gun 102 while the safety device 110 is positioned on (e.g., fully on) the gun 102.
As shown, the first side wall 120 can include a mating hole 116 in certain embodiments. The mating hole 116 can be positioned in axial alignment with the insertion hole 114. The mating hole 116 can be positioned in a similar position to the insertion hole 114 along the first side wall 120.
In certain embodiments, the mating hole 116 forms a through-hole such that the hole 116 extends entirely through the side wall 120. In certain embodiments, the mating hole 116 defines a recess along an interior surface of the side wall 120. The mating hole 116 can be configured to receive at least a portion of the locking pin 140, such as a mating end portion 144 of the locking pin 140. The mating end portion 144 of the locking pin 140 can pass through all or a portion of the mating hole 116 in the engaged position. In certain embodiments, contact between an interior surface of the mating hole 116 and an exterior surface of the mating end portion 144 of the locking pin 140 can create sufficient force to secure the safety device 110 on the gun 102 and/or resist the biasing force caused by the ejecting unit 150 (e.g., the biasing member and/or the ejecting member) on the trigger guard 106. In certain embodiments, the locking pin 140 is configured to pass through or sit partially within the mating hole 116. In certain embodiments, the mating end portion 144 can engage the mating hole 116 via a press-fit configuration. In certain embodiments, the mating end portion 116 has a groove, such as a circumferential groove or other mating feature that is configured to sit within or engage the mating hole 116 to secure the locking pin 140 in the engaged position.
In certain embodiments, the first side wall 120 does not include the mating hole 116. In such embodiments that do not include the mating hole 116, the locking pin 140 need not include the mating end portion 144. In such embodiments, the locking pin 140 has a sufficient length to secure the safety device 110 on the gun 102 and/or resist the biasing force caused by the ejecting unit 150 (e.g., the biasing member and/or the ejecting member) on the trigger guard 106 without the locking pin 140 securing to the first side wall 120.
For example, in certain embodiments, a length of the locking pin 140 allows a distal portion of the locking pin 140 to be positioned within the trigger guard 106 with the distal portion also being spaced from the first side wall 120. In such embodiments, a gap may be formed between the distal portion of the locking pin 140 and the first side wall 120. When the locking pin 140 is disposed within the trigger guard 140, the locking pin 140 desirably prevents the safety device 110 from being removed from the handgun 102. This can also prevent access to the trigger 104 and/or help to inhibit or limit accidental actuation of the trigger 104.
In certain embodiments, the distal portion of the locking pin 140 contacts the first side wall 120 without securing to the first side wall 120.
The locking pin 140 can include a second end 142. The second end 142 can be integral with or coupled to the releasing plate 130 by various connection mechanisms. For example, in certain embodiments, the locking pin 140 and the releasing plate 130 are manufactured as a unitary structure. For example, in certain embodiments, the locking pin 140 can be coupled to the releasing plate 130 by a mechanical fastener 146, such as a screw or bolt, an adhesive, and/or a threaded connection, among other fastening features.
As shown in at least
The releasing plate 130 can have a shape that generally corresponds to a shape of the side wall 122. In certain embodiments, at least a front side and/or a bottom side of the releasing plate 130 corresponds to the shape of the corresponding features of the side wall 122. In certain embodiments, the releasing plate 130 can include a rearward portion. The rearward portion of the releasing plate 130 can define an access region that is accessible to the user. For example, the access region of the releasing plate 130 can be angled outwardly relative to the outer surface of the side wall of the releasing plate 130 and/or the cover 112 when assembled. In certain embodiments, the angled access region of the releasing plate 130 and the side wall 122 of the cover 112 defines an interior space 134 that can be accessed by the user. As explained in more detail below, the releasing plate 130 can be activated by a user's finger sliding into at least a portion of the interior space 134 between the releasing plate 130 and the cover 112.
As discussed above, the cover 112 can include the ejecting unit 150. The ejecting unit 150 can be positioned within at least a portion of the channel of the cover 112. In certain embodiments, the ejecting unit 150 can be positioned in a forward portion of the cover 112, such as against the front wall 118 of the cover 112. In certain embodiments, the ejecting unit 150 is held in place within the cover 112, such as against the front wall 118, the side walls 120, 122, and/or the bottom wall 124. For example, the ejecting unit 150 can be adhered to the cover 112. In certain embodiments, the ejecting unit 150 can be mechanically fastened to the cover 112, such as by a screw or bolt, press-fit into the channel of the cover, and/or integrally formed with the cover 112, among other means.
In certain configurations, when the ejecting unit 150 is secured within the cover 112, the ejecting unit extends rearwardly a distance that is less than approximately ½ a length of the cover 112. For example, the ejecting unit 150 can be positioned at least partially or entirely within a forward portion of the cover 112. In certain configurations, the ejecting unit 150 is positioned entirely forward of holes 114, 116 and/or the locking pin 140 when the safety device 110 is in the engaged position.
As shown in at least
As shown in at least
In certain embodiments, the recess 156 can receive the biasing member 158 and/or the ejecting member 160. As shown in at least
In certain embodiments, when the safety device 110 is in the engaged position, the ejecting member 160 is configured to contact the front surface of the trigger guard 106. In the engaged position, the biasing member 158 is configured to bias the ejecting member 160 away from the front wall 188 and/or into the trigger guard 106. As discussed in more detail below, the biasing member 158 can bias the safety device 110 to slide off and/or separate from the gun 102 when the safety device 110 moves from the engaged positon to the disengaged position (e.g., when the locking pin 140 disengages from the trigger guard 106). The biasing member 158 and/or the ejecting member 160 can cause the ejecting unit 150 to self-eject the safety device 110 from the gun 102 in use. In certain embodiments, the ejecting unit 150 can include one or more air vents. The air vents can help to prevent or limit the ejecting member 160 from creating a vacuum and/or slow release of the safety device 110 from the gun 102.
In certain embodiments, the assembly 100 can be used underwater. In certain embodiments, when the safety device 110 is activated underwater, water may enter the safety device 110. In certain embodiments, to drain the ejecting unit 150, the safety device 110 may be flipped 180 degrees. The ejecting member 160 can be pressed into the biasing member 158 one or more times to expel water from the recess 156.
In certain embodiments, the safety device 110 can move from the engaged position (see
In certain embodiments, sliding the user's finger between the releasing plate 130 and the cover 112 can create a sufficient amount of force to at least partially or fully disengage the safety device 110 from the gun 102. Such embodiments can desirably allow the user to disengage the safety device 100 from the gun 102 quickly and easily, for example, as the user removes the gun 102 from a pocket, bag, holster, or other compartment. In certain embodiments, sliding the user's finger between the releasing plate 130 and the cover 112 may not create a sufficient amount of force to fully disengage the safety device 110 from the gun 102. As shown in
In certain embodiments, as the releasing plate 130 rotates away from the cover 112, the locking pin 140 disengages from the mating hole 116. The locking pin 140 can slide across an interior space of the channel of the cover 112. In certain embodiments, the locking pin 140 slides along an interior surface of the trigger guard 106 when the releasing plate 130 is rotated away from the cover 112. In certain embodiments, the biasing member 158 extends rearwardly a greater distance as the locking pin 140 is pulled by the releasing plate 130, causing the ejecting member 160 to push against the trigger guard 106 with a greater amount of force. This can cause the safety device 110 to move in a forward direction relative to the trigger guard 106. In certain embodiments, the locking pin 140 can include a flexible material. The flexible material can allow the locking pin 140 to bend as the safety device 140 is pushed in a forward direction.
In certain embodiments, when disengaged, the locking pin 140 allows the safety device 110 to be removed from the handgun 102.
Certain embodiments of the safety device are designed for use by either left or right-handed individuals. As shown in the illustrated embodiments, the gun 102 can include a handgun. Certain embodiments of the safety device 110 are designed for use with other types of guns.
Various modifications to the implementations described in this disclosure can be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein can be applied to other implementations without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the implementations shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and the novel features disclosed herein. The word “example” is used exclusively herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “example” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations.
Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate implementations also can be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation also can be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features can be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination can be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination.
The methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions for achieving the described method. The method steps and/or actions can be interchanged with one another without departing from the scope of the claims. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is specified, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions can be modified without departing from the scope of any claims.
While the foregoing is directed to aspects of the present disclosure, other and further aspects of the disclosure can be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof.
This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/730,510, filed Oct. 11, 2017, and entitled “HANDGUN SAFETY DEVICE,” now U.S. Pat. No. 10,228,206, which claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/406,819, filed Oct. 11, 2016, and entitled “HANDGUN SAFETY DEVICE.” The entire content of each of the above applications is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this specification. Any and all priority claims identified in the Application Data Sheet, or any correction thereto, are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR § 1.57.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20190204036 A1 | Jul 2019 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 15730510 | Oct 2017 | US |
Child | 16295979 | US |